Morality Quotes To Help Us Better Understand Ourselves

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines morality as “a system of beliefs or set of values relating to right conduct, against which behavior is judged to be acceptable or unacceptable.” Some elements of morality are widely held by most people in most situations. Others are specific to certain groups, cultures, or even individuals. In general, each person can define what morality looks like for them in their own day to day interactions—and this can change over time. If you’re in the process of figuring out or reevaluating what values or morals you’d like to live by, the following morality quotes could be helpful.

Thought-provoking quotes about morality

According to a 2023 Gallup poll, an increasing number of US adults feel doubtful or pessimistic about the level of morality in the country today. It reports that 83% believe morality is getting worse, with “consideration for others” being the top answer when asked what they think the most important problem is concerning the state of moral values in the US. 

At the very least, this detail suggests that people are thinking about morality and how it relates to their own lives and communities. If you’ve found yourself absorbed in this same line of thought, you might read the quotes below for inspiration and perspective on the topic of morality overall.

Quotes on discovering your own sense of morality

There are many different ways to categorize moral codes and approaches to morality, as put forth by thinkers, philosophers, writers, and others throughout the ages. There’s subjective and objective morality, religious morality, normative morality—even virtual morality. If you’re interested in figuring out your own moral code amongst all these options, these quotes could be useful.

• “A quiet conscience makes one strong.” –Anne Frank
• "Be your own master, and look at things as a man, as a human being, as a citizen, as a mortal creature." –Marcus Aurelius
• “I do not wish any reward but to know I have done the right thing.” –Mark Twain
• “The time is always right to do what is right.” –Martin Luther King, Jr.
• “When you think of it, really there are four fundamental questions of life. You've asked them, I've asked them, every thinking person asks them. They boil down to this: origin, meaning, morality, and destiny. 'How did I come into being? What brings life meaning? How do I know right from wrong? Where am I headed after I die?'” –Ravi Zacharias

Quotes on immorality

Since the set of morals a person chooses to live by can vary widely, so can what’s considered to be “immoral.” This next section of quotes relates to different views of immorality.

• "The Human moral keyboard is limited…there's nothing you can play on it that hasn't been played before. And, my dear friends, I am sorry to say this, but it has its lower notes." –Margaret Atwood
• “Do not do an immoral thing for moral reasons.” –Thomas Hardy
• “Morality is simply the attitude we adopt towards people whom we personally dislike.” –Oscar Wilde
• “But the relationship of morality and power is a very subtle one. Because ultimately, power without morality is no longer power.” –James Baldwin
• “When morality comes up against profit, it is seldom that profit loses.” –Shirley Chisholm

Quotes on motivations behind morality

Why are people concerned with morality? What drives us to behave in a way that measures up to certain moral codes, whether those we’ve come up with ourselves or those that have been handed down to us? The quotes below shed some light on this topic.

• “Freedom, morality, and the human dignity of the individual consists precisely in this; that he does well not because he is forced to do so, but because he freely conceives it, wants it, and loves it.” –Mikhail Bakunin
• “The true basis of morality is utility; that is, the adaptation of our actions to the promotion of the general welfare and happiness; the endeavor so to rule our lives that we may serve and bless mankind.” –Annie Besant

• “Even though you can't expect to defeat the absurdity of the world, you must make the attempt. That's morality, that's religion, that's art, that's life.” –Phil Ochs
• “Morality is the herd-instinct in the individual.” –Friedrich Nietzsche

Ways to explore and discover your morality

If you’re interested in figuring out the moral code by which you’d like to live, there are various ways to do so. Humans have been contemplating morality for thousands of years, so there are a variety of texts you can look to on this topic. Asking at your local library or bookstore could be a good place to start. Make sure to select a diverse group of sources to ensure that you get a well-rounded view of the topic. 

Speaking with family, friends, and community members on the topic can also be helpful, since people with different life experiences may have different views. Finally, self-reflection can be a valuable tool as well. Looking back on why you made certain decisions in the past and how you feel about them can help you understand what you value going forward in terms of morals.

How therapy can help

Having a set of morals and values that you live by can make up a key component of who you are and how you interact with the world. If you’re looking to discover more about your identity and what your values might be, speaking with a therapist can be helpful. They can provide a space where you can examine how you feel about different topics related to this issue, and they can help you build the tools to set goals around how you want to behave towards others. 

Some people find it difficult to commute to and from in-person therapy appointments due to a medical condition or disability, a rural location, or a busy schedule. In cases like these, online therapy can represent a more convenient option. With a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging to address the challenges you may be facing. Research suggests online therapy can be as effective as in-person sessions in many cases, so you can typically feel confident in whichever format you may prefer.